Cai You lost his position as Minister of Personnel, and with the addition of the Deputy Governor of Kaifeng Prefecture, it was time for Cai Jing to counterattack.
If at this time, victorious news came from the front line, Cai You could naturally use Tong Guan to regain all his disadvantages.
Whether for reasons of balance or other purposes, the Emperor would definitely return at least one of these two positions to Cai You.
But it was at this time that news of Tong Guan's great defeat came, which was truly adding insult to injury for Cai You.
In the court, wasn't this exactly the situation that was most to be avoided?
Political struggle failed, and the battle on the front line also failed!
Under such circumstances, even if the Emperor wanted to support Cai You, he could not find a suitable excuse.
On the contrary, Cai Jing's side naturally occupied the upper hand. He could completely use the pretext of rectifying the court to eliminate dissidents on a large scale and clear out Cai You's forces.
He understood this, and so did Cai You.
In order to avoid further deterioration of the situation, Cai You simply took this opportunity to put himself to death to survive, pushing himself to a dead end.
If he could not achieve the expected results after arriving at the front line, what awaited him might just be demotion and exile...
Of course, where there was risk, there would be reward. Since he had now actively chosen to go out, Cai Jing would naturally not be able to relentlessly pursue him.
Even if Cai Jing insisted on doing so, the Emperor would not agree!
After all, Cai Jing was old. Allowing the entire court to become his private domain again at this time would not benefit the Emperor in any way.
What if this old man closed his eyes and completely let go one day? Who would take over the vast influence he left behind?
The Cai family's sons?
Just looking at Cai Tao's performance this time made the Emperor completely despair of them.
If it weren't for the consideration of master-servant affection and the overall situation in the court, people like Cai Tao might have already been kicked out of Bianliang City by him.
---
A night passed, and the entire court was once again in an uproar. Countless court officials were in a state of panic, and court officials were flocking to Cai You's mansion.
However, amidst this turbulent situation, a massive fleet once again sailed into the water gate of Bianliang City.
"Big Brother!"
Seeing Han Mo again after many days, Han Shizhong appeared extremely excited.
"One day earlier than expected. Was the journey all smooth?"
Looking at the travel-worn Han Shizhong, Han Mo also felt a little excited.
"Don't worry, Big Brother. Everything went smoothly. We were well prepared this time. Although we encountered some minor troubles on the way, those petty thieves were dealt with directly by me!"
"Someone actually dared to rob you?"
Hearing him say this, Han Mo became interested.
"Indeed, there were a few fellows who lacked foresight. One of them, nicknamed 'Lang Li Bai Tiao', is still hanging on the ship's deck!"
"Lang Li Bai Tiao? Zhang Shun?"
Hearing him say this, Han Mo couldn't help but ask.
"Big Brother has heard of this guy?"
This time, it was Han Shizhong's turn to look puzzled. He was just a petty thief, could it be that Han Mo was an old acquaintance of his?
"Is his name really that? Bring him over for me to see!"
Looking at Han Shizhong's puzzled expression, Han Mo suddenly felt a sense of absurdity. Could this guy be the prototype of Zhang Shun, 'Lang Li Bai Tiao' from Water Margin?
"Bring that little thief up here!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, Han Shizhong quickly gave an order to his subordinates.
Soon, someone escorted two burly men who looked like they were barely alive. Judging by their appearance, they had been severely beaten by Han Shizhong, their bodies covered in dirt and emitting a foul odor. Their long hair was plastered to their faces, making it impossible to see their features, and they could only be judged by their general physique. They looked no older than 30.
"Why are there two?"
After glancing at them, Han Mo asked somewhat strangely.
"Big Brother, you may not know, but these two seem to be brothers. The elder brother is named Zhang Heng, and the younger brother is named Zhang Shun. The brothers gathered more than a dozen water ghosts and wanted to drill through the bottom of my ship, but I caught them with a fishing net. I caught them red-handed!"
Hearing Han Shizhong say this, Han Mo became even more interested in them.
"Get them some food, and then have someone clean them up. Let's talk after they've recovered a bit!"
Anyway, at this time, Han Mo was most in need of capable personnel. Regardless of whether these two were heroes from Water Margin, as long as they had real skills, Han Mo wouldn't mind giving them a chance.
After all, letting them go to deal with those Japanese is better than being sent to the army as cannon fodder!
"Yes!"
"Sir Han, my vice minister requests your presence over there!"
As the two were talking, a runner from the Ministry of Revenue ran over hurriedly, smiling.
"Tell your vice minister to prepare more food and wine. My brother delivered the goods for you after traveling day and night!"
"The food and wine have already been prepared for you. Official Fan personally ordered the feast from Fan Lou!"
Hearing Han Mo's words, the runner also smiled obsequiously.
"Don't try to pull my leg. With your Vice Minister Fan's stinginess, would he spend money to order a feast from Fan Lou?"
"Well, the feast was indeed ordered from Fan Lou, but as soon as they heard your name, Sir Han, they refused to accept any money!"
"Heh, I..."
Hearing this, Han Mo's face immediately darkened. Was this how people invited guests?
"What are you dawdling about, you brat? Hurry up and get over here!"
Just as Han Mo was fuming and had nowhere to vent his anger, Fan Zheng Guo poked his head out from a nearby restaurant.
"Here I come! Uncle Shi, don't be in such a hurry!"
Upon seeing Fan Zheng Guo, Han Mo's angry expression miraculously disappeared.
Even Han Shizhong couldn't keep up with the speed of his mood change.
"Big Brother, do you want me to vent your anger for you?"
After cautiously moving forward a couple of steps, Han Shizhong immediately lowered his voice and asked.
"Vent your head! Didn't you hear me call him Uncle Shi? Behave yourself. If you dare to offend him, I won't be responsible if you get spanked later!"
Giving him a sidelong glance, Han Mo immediately walked towards the restaurant with a smile.
Seeing the smile on Han Mo's face, Han Shizhong awkwardly scratched his head. It seemed he had tried to curry favor but ended up stepping on a hornet's nest. The thoughts of these civil officials were truly hard to fathom...